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Irish Contemporary Oil Paintings

About Shane

Born in Dundrum Co. Dublin, 1967, and now living in Kimmage with my partner Aisling and Oscar, our pet Jack Russell. Art is, and always has been, my first and instinctive passion for over 40 years. I am also a professional musician playing with a number of Dublin bands since the nineties, namely Revelino.

At a very early age, my artistic skill was first noticed by my family and encouraged by former art teachers in school. I gained my first public notoriety at 12 years when I won the ‘Texaco Children’s Art Competition’ for my fairy woodland scenes and psychedelic magic toadstools!

I’d say my journey on the artistic path was one characterised by meandering and unforeseen routes, as opposed to navigating a clearly sign-posted course of direction. I have dappled with many techniques and approaches, with a particular interest in 19th century Impressionism from an early age. Over the past 20 years, I have developed a style more synonymous with artists spanning the decades from the 1920’s to 1960’s, including Rothko, Kooning, Malevich, Mondrian and Pollock, to name but a few.

My work has evolved organically into a very unique and interesting contemporary- abstract style, that has really come into its own, particularly over the last 18 to 24 months. I have recently started to exhibit my paintings as a member of the Merrion Square Artists and have already had success in selling a number of my works. My work is also currently on show in The Glasthule Gallery. Meeting with the public and listening to their positive feedback in terms of the refreshing and contemporary style my art has contributed to the Square, has proven to be a great endorsement of my contribution to date.

If you like what you see, then come down for a chat to Merrion Square (Pitch 74) some weekend when you’re in town or contact me at mobile: 086 3264184; e-mail: shane.rafferty@yahoo.ie